An awareness-cum-registration camp for construction workers is set to be organised at Mithakhari as part of efforts to expand the coverage of social security and welfare schemes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The initiative is being jointly undertaken by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and the Mithakhari Gram Panchayat, with the camp scheduled to be held on December 6 at the Gram Panchayat premises.
The proposed camp is aimed at reaching unregistered and partially informed workers engaged in construction and allied activities in and around Mithakhari. Officials involved in the initiative stated that the programme seeks to bridge information gaps regarding welfare schemes while also enabling eligible workers to complete registration formalities on the spot, reducing procedural delays that often deter enrolment.
Construction workers form a significant segment of the informal workforce in the islands, with many engaged in small-scale projects, private construction, and daily-wage activities. Despite the existence of statutory welfare mechanisms, participation levels have often been affected by limited awareness of benefits, documentation challenges, and lack of access to registration facilities. The camp is expected to provide a single-window platform where workers can learn about available schemes and enrol without multiple visits to offices.
During the programme, officials are expected to inform participants about various social security and welfare measures implemented by the Welfare Board. These schemes are designed to support workers through financial assistance, medical benefits, and other forms of social protection linked to their occupational vulnerabilities. By combining awareness and registration into a single exercise, the organisers aim to ensure that information translates into actual enrolment rather than remaining notional.
The Welfare Board has indicated that on-the-spot registration will allow workers to immediately enter the beneficiary database, making them eligible for assistance under different schemes after due verification. Such camps are also viewed as an opportunity to identify gaps in coverage and understand the challenges faced by workers in accessing formal support systems, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas.
Local authorities have encouraged construction workers from Mithakhari and nearby areas to attend the camp and make use of the services being offered. Panchayat-level involvement is expected to play a key role in mobilising workers and facilitating interaction between officials and beneficiaries. The collaboration with the Gram Panchayat reflects an approach that emphasises decentralised outreach rather than reliance on centralised offices alone.
The initiative aligns with broader administrative efforts to strengthen labour welfare mechanisms by increasing awareness and improving registration levels across the islands. Officials have noted that expanding the beneficiary base of the Welfare Board is critical for ensuring that funds collected for worker welfare are effectively utilised and reach intended recipients.
The camp is also expected to serve an educational function by explaining eligibility conditions, documentation requirements, and the process for availing benefits after registration. Such clarity is seen as essential for building trust among workers, many of whom remain sceptical about formal schemes due to past difficulties or lack of follow-up.
Authorities have reiterated that participation in the camp is voluntary but strongly encouraged, given the long-term benefits associated with registration under welfare schemes. By bringing registration facilities closer to workers’ neighborhoods, the organisers aim to reduce access barriers and promote inclusive coverage.
As the date approaches, officials anticipate active participation from the local construction workforce, viewing the camp as a step toward strengthening social security for one of the most economically vulnerable sections of the labour force in the islands.
